EMERGENCY dispatches from the twisted attack on Catholic school children yesterday painted a gruesome picture of the devastating scene Minneapolis first responders arrived at.
Robin Westman, 23, shot right through the church’s stained glass windows as dozens of students were inside praying at Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others on Wednesday morning.
Parents, students, and officials alike were seen emotional at the site of the shooting on Wednesday[/caption]
A large police presence was on the scene, with first responders praised for their bravery during the attack[/caption]
Law enforcement responded just minutes after shots rang out in the church[/caption]
The church, filled with pre-kindergarten through eighth graders, was barricaded by wood on multiple doors from the outside as emergency crews rushed to the scene to save as many as possible.
The first 911 call came just before 8:30. Their Mass was scheduled for 8:15 that day.
Operators sent hordes of first responders over to the church after reports came in about the deadly shooting.
“Minneapolis has a possible active shooter,” said one 911 worker.
“All units, you’re heading to Minneapolis. Mutual aid on a shooting,” another said.
When shots rang out, staffers and parents hid kids under pews as older students covered the younger ones.
The principal, Matt DeBoer, was reported to run to the door and lock it.
One parent, Shea McAdaragh, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that a police officer burst into the doors just minutes after the first shots came through and asked where the shooter was, before running to find the gunman.
“Troopers arriving. We need medical,” one said on the dispatch.
“Bring all the gauze that you have.”
Once crews were able to assess the situation, it became clear how much medical help was needed to aid the victims.
“We’ve got at least four criticals in the inside. The rest outside of the church,” another said on the radio lines.
“Couple of DOAs, but at least 20 other patients.”
The Annunciation Catholic School had just started school on Monday, hit with the fatal tragedy just two days later when an 8 and 10-year-old were murdered as over a dozen more were shot, many of the victims pediatric patients.
Annunciation Catholic School shooting timeline
TWO children have been killed and 17 injured after a lone gunman shrouded in a black outfit opened fire inside a Minnesota Catholic school.
Here is a timeline of how the fatal tragedy unfolded.
- On Wednesday morning at 8:15 am CT, students at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis gathered for their scheduled all-school mass
- Just before 8:30, Minneapolis police responded to a call that there was a shooting
- Cops say that a lone gunman in his early 20s fired a rifle, shotgun, and pistol through the windows as children aged pre-K through eighth grade prayed inside
- Two children aged eight and 10 were killed, and 17 others, including 14 children, were injured by the gunfire
- The shooter later died after appearing to take his own life at the back of the church
- At 9:32 am, the Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that the shooter had been “contained.”
“We have two gunshot wounds. Two patients with gunshot wounds to their head in front,” another said on the radio.
“There’s also a critical patient in the rear of the church.”
Multiple patients were considered critical condition after the fatal shooting.
“Transporting one 10-year-old male, red trauma. Gunshot wound to the head,” an emergency responder said to dispatchers.
“He’s currently vitally stable, possibly was just grazed.”
Westman, dressed in all black and carrying three guns, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot.
Although a motive hasn’t been officially released, the shooter posted a disturbing video with what appeared to be a manifesto, apologizing to his family members.
The footage then showed multiple guns scribbled with offensive phrases as Westman displayed a great deal of bullets and writings.
“One suspect with a gunshot wound to the head,” an officer said on the radio.
“Had a rifle and shotgun. He is down right now.”
In total, Westman had three guns, firing off all three, according to police.
Officers, family, and students were photographed sobbing outside of the school after the traumatizing attack sent shockwaves throughout the entire country.
The school’s theme for the year was “future filled with hope.”
“The sheer cruelty and cowardice, firing into a church full of children,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said, “is absolutely incomprehensible.”
Parents waited for their children in the reunification zone Wednesday after the fatal shooting[/caption]
Robin Westman, 23, was identified as the shooter[/caption]
Families were seen embracing their children after the shooting left two students dead[/caption]
